WORK has begun on the £9m revamp of a college campus in the heart of Witney.

Contractors have finished demolishing the former Witney Magistrates’ Court building that will make way for a new teaching block for Abingdon & Witney College.

The maths, English and information technology classrooms are expected to open next year.

There will also be a new construction block – a key part of the college’s thriving apprenticeship programme.

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As well as demolition of the old court building, the plans involve demolishing the Blake and Weavers buildings and the extension and refurbishment of the Holloway building and associated work.

The plans for the scheme were approved by West Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee on October 13 on condition that samples of the materials to be used were submitted to the council prior to development.

On November 21 the council wrote to Robothams Architects, who designed the buildings, stating that the ‘feature colours’ for the render on the new buildings had yet to be received.

District councillor for Witney Peter Dorward said: “The fact is the old court building was last used years ago and has been standing there idle.

“There’s been a lot of criticism of the old building as it was of a typical 1960s design and some folk in the town will be quite happy to see it going.

“It’s a good development. I think Witney College has a good reputation and this will just add to the facilities they have, which can only be for the good.

Duncan Enright, Labour councillor for East Witney, said he was pleased with the investment but would like to see a new courthouse open in Witney.

He said: “It’s fantastic to see the college in the middle of town providing such a wonderful facility.

“Education has such an important impact in driving our local economy.

“The two secondary schools and the college working together in Witney provide a really good service for young people and those in continuing education.”

But he added: “I was really sorry we lost the magistrates’ court in Witney. That was a mistake.

“It’s not the most gracious building in Witney so I’m not so worried about the building, but I’m more sorry there’s not going to be a court.

“Access to justice is important and I would like to see a court back in Witney.”

Town councillors have welcomed the project.

The college’s initial plans for redevelopment were halted in 2009 when the the Learning and Skills Council ran out of money and was unable to fund a £28m scheme. In 2012, £7.4m was spent on construction of one new building and the modernisation of two others on the campus.

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